Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is characterized by two primary symptoms:
1. A painful, red rash with fluid-filled blisters on, in, or around the affected ear.
2. Facial paralysis on the same side as the ear where the rash appears.
Typically, the rash and facial paralysis emerge simultaneously, though sometimes one may precede the other. As Ramsay Hunt Syndrome usually affects the nerves on only one side of the face, symptoms are concentrated on that side.
In addition to these main symptoms, the following may also occur:
* Erosions and ulcers in the mouth (especially on the soft palate)
* Disturbance of taste sensation
* Severe pain in the facial area
* Fever
* Excessive tearing of the eye
* Hearing problems or hearing loss
* Vertigo
* Swelling or tenderness in regional lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
* Ear pain or ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
* Difficulty closing the eye on the affected side